Rotary card index and tray



My 18, 1948. F. P. u zo 2,441,717

ROTARY CARD INDEX AND TRAYS I Fig] 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fred B/Vkra -May18, 1948. FQP; NERO m gowmrcm mmsx m mus Filed Nov. 9, 1943 Patented May18, 19 48 ROTARY CARD INDEX AND TRAY Fred P. Nero, Canton. Ohio,aasignor to Diebold,

Incorporated,

Ohio

Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Application November 9, 1943, Serial No.509,601

6 Claims. (01. 129-16) The invention relates generally to card indexeswherein cards are mounted on a rail with an enlarged head by means ofkeyhole shaped slots in the bottom edges of the cards. The inventionrelates more particularly to a construction in which the railconstitutes a segment of a circle on which the cards are arranged moreor less radially; the rail being formed as a part of a tray used eitheras a desk tray for card inspection, reference or posting, or mountedwith other like trays on a wheel to form a rotary card index.

There are many prior art constructions in which are mounted on acontinuous rail on the periphery of a wheel; or are mounted on a rail orthe like in a drawer or tray. Also in the improved constructions of theBruen Patents Nos.

2,168,323, 2,235,736 and 2,240,325, cards aremounted on a peripheralcarrying rail composed of a plurality of arcuate segment bars detachablymounted on a wheel, which segment bars also may be detachably mounted onseparate desk trays.

However, such prior devices are constructed of a large number of parts,many of which are of complicated design, and are therefore expensive tomanufacture, assemble and keep in working order. Moreover, while theconstructions of said Bruen patents permit end loading of the cards onthe arcuate rai'l sections or segment bars and provide for the use ofthe cards, either on a wheel, or on desk trays, they require both awheel and separate desk trays for receiving and mountingthe detachablearcuate segment bars, which further increases the cost of a cardindex-installation to be used both in wheel form and with desk trays.

Also, in prior art constructions, only a limited size of cards can bemounted alternately on a wheel or on desk trays, wtih few parts.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention tosubstantially reduce the number of parts required in the construction ofa rotary 'card index so as to have many less parts than have beenrequired heretofore.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to materiallyreduce the number of parts which are subjected to wear in themanipulation, operation or use of rotary indexes, and in removing cardsfrom or placing cards on a rotary index, either individually orcollectively. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention toeliminate the use of accessory parts such as desk trays and partsthereof in connection with the use of a rotary card index system where-2 in. the cards are used selectively on a wheel, or on a desk tray.

Also it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary cardindex with a plurality of card mounting trays on which the cards are ingtray having an arcuate rail section formed integrally therewith, whichtray may be used either with or without the addition of a card followerand with like trays to form a card wheel, or which tray maybe used withthe addition of a card follower as a desk tray.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to incorporate theimprovements set forth in the Miller Rotary card indexes and traysapplication, Serial No. 501,567, filed September 8, 1943, Patent No.2,429,729, dated October 28, 1947, in a one piece card tray, which traymay be used either as a desk tray, or with like trays to form a wheel.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved shaft mounting construction for a card wheel formed by aplurality oi the improved trays, having few parts, but whichnevertheless provides substantial bearings for the shaft, and providesfor mounting the wheel and a pull wheel therefor with the pull wheel ateither the right or the left of the card wheel.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved but simplified braking or tensioning device for controlling theoperation of the card wheel so that the wheel may be readily moved toany desired position and held at rest at such position.

Also it is an object of the present invention to substantially reducethe weight of the moving parts of a rotary card index so as tomaterially reduce fatigue of the operator thereof.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedcabinet for a rotary card index which may be opened readily to permituse of the rotary card wheel therein, or to permit removal of individualtrays for use as desk trays; and which cabinet may be closed and lockedto prevent unauthorized access to the cards.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedselective desk-rotary card index andcabinet construction having aminimum number of parts of simplified and compact structure and ease ofassembly and operation, and in consequence having a reduced cost.

These and other objects may be obtained, the stated results achieved,and the described difilculties overcome, by the devices, constructions,arrangements. combinations, sub-combinations, parts, and elements whichcomprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in thefollowing general statement, preferred embodiments of which are setforth in the following description, and shown in the drawings and whichare particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims forming part thereof.

The nature of the improvements in rotary card indexes and trays of thepresent invention may be stated in general terms as preferably includingin a card filing device, a wheel having a plurality of essentially flatfaces defining a substantially polygonal contour for the wheel; aplurality of similar trays, one preferably slidably mounted on eachwheel face, each tray being preferably formed in one piece with anintegral projecting arcuate rail for mounting cards more or lessradially of the wheel, said rail sections forming with other similartray rail sections a substantially continuous circular rail n the wheel,and said trays being adapted for removal from the wheel to form deskcard trays; means for locating the trays on the wheel; a cabinet havinga rotatable cover; means for locking the cabinet with cover closed; ashaft mounted in the cabinet; said cabinet cover being rotatably mountedon said shaft; means mounting the wheel on said shaft; means mountingapull wheel on said shaft; means for interchangeably disposing the pullwheel to the right or left of said wheel on said shaft; and braking ortensioning means associated with the shaft and cabinet for controllingthe rotation of the wheel.

By way of example, preferred embodiments of the improved constructionare illustrated in the acompanying drawings forming part hereof,wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the improved rotary index taken as onthe line l-l, Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken as on the line 2-2. F18. 1, ofthe improved rotary index;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 2, illustrating thesubstantially polygonal wheel with one tray removed therefrom andomitting the cards and cabinet parts;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a tray removed from the parts shown inFig. 3, for use as a desk tray;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the substantially polygonal wheelmember, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1, illustrating a modifiedform of tray having two carrying rails.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

- Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the improved rotary indexwheel construction is indicated generally at I ll, mounted on a shaft llcarried by the cabinet indicated generally at 12.

The cabinet I 2 preferably includes side plates.

IS, a bottom plate 14 and end plates l5 secured together preferably byspot welding as at overlapped joints IS. The cabinet may be providedwith feet II for resting upon a floor or table top or other surfaceindicated generally at ll. Heavy washer-like members l9 are spot weldedto the cabinet walls It; and the apertures 20 thereof, which are alignedwith similar apertures in the walls l3, form simple but compact andsturdy bearings journalling the ends of the shaft ll. One projecting endof the shaft II is preferably covered by a dust cover 2| secured to theside wall I! by any suitable means, as shown at the left side of Fig. 1.

The opposite end of shaft H is preferably provided with a reduced shank22 threaded at its outer end 24. A tensionin'g knob 24 is threaded ontoshaft threaded portion 29 and held against removal by screw 25, lockwasher 25a and washer 25b. A preferably leather washer 26 is locatedinside of right bearing washer l9, and another similar leather washer 29is located outside of right cabinet wall l3. Metallic washers 21 arekeyed to shank 22, one between outer leather washer 26 and knob 24 andone between inner leather washer 29 and shoulder 28 of shank 22. Withthis construction, a turning of knob 24 onto threaded portion 23 ofshaft i i, compresses leather washers 26 between washers 21 and sidewall and bearing I3l9 to provide the desired amount of friction forholding the shaft in any desired position, thus controlling rotation ofthe shaft; and a turning of knob 24 in the other direction permits shaftI I to be freely rotated.

A sleeve shaft 29 is telescoped over shaft H and is provided near oneend with an aperture 39 through which screw 3i may be passed forselectively threading into one or the other of threaded holes 82 formedin shaft ll near each end thereof, to lock sleeve shaft 29 on shaft ll.Screw 3i also passes through hub 93 of the pull wheel formed by pullring 34 and spokes 35. With this construction, sleeve shaft 29 may beturned end for end in assembling, so as to locate the pull ring 34 ateither the right or the left of rotary index wheel Ill.

The cabinet i2 is provided with a semi-circular cover 98 formed by sideplates 3'! and arcuate top plate 39, preferably assembled as by spotwelding along overlapped portions 39. The side plates 31 of cover 36 arealso provided with washer-like members 40 spot welded to side plates 31and forming bearings for the cover 36 on shaft Ii. The ends of sleeveshaft 29 serve to locate the position of the cover 38 relative to theshaft Ii and cabinet l2.

The cover is shown in closed position in Fig. 2, in which position itmay be locked by pivoted latch member 4| .operated by a cam member 42secured at 43 to the inner end of a key lock assembly generallyindicated at 44 of usual and well known type. A sliding lock bar 45 mayalso be simultaneously operated by cam 42 to lock or unlock, at itsinner end 46, a cover plate 41 for a central opening 48 in the bottomwall of cabinet l2. The central opening 48 is provided for gainingaccess to the interior of the cabinet i2 when the rotary index is fullof cards, for retrieving a card or the like which may have dropped tothe bottom of the cabinet.

The outer surface of sleeve shaft 29 is preferably knurled or otherwiseroughened as indicated as.49, and the hub 50 of plastic wheel membergenerally indicated at 5|, is pressed over tubular shaft 29 and held inposition theremay have the desired number of integral spoke portions 53and web portions SI for joining the essentiallyflat faces I! to the hubII thereof. A dovetail rib i6 is provided projecting outwardly from eachflat face 52, and in an enlargement is under each dovetail rib 58preferably two spring pressed balls 51 are provided.

The improved tray generally indicated at 58 and best shown in Figs. 2, 3and 4 is also formed in one piece from molded thermoplastic material andhas a flat base or bottom 59, a dovetail groove 60. an arcuate cardfloor M, an arcuate rail 62 having a web 83 and head 64 and a support 65at one end thereof. one tray 58 may be mounted on each flat face 52 ofthe wheel member Si by telescoping dovetail groove 80 over dovetail rib5B. The spring pressed balls 51 engage in grooves II and against theends 81 (Fig.

1) thereof to centrally locate each tray 58 on each wheel face 52.

The wheel member ii of generally polygonal contour has been shown ashaving threeiiat faces 52, and therefore holds three card trays 58. Itis to be understood, however, that the polygonal shaped wheel I may havemore than three flat faces, such as four or five or six or more faces toreceive and mount 9. corresponding number of trays.

When the trays 58 are mounted on the wheel 5|, as best shown in Fig. 2,a substantially continuous circular rail 2 is formed around the wheelwhich may carry a full complement of cards H substantially asshown inFig. 2. The cards H are each provided with a keyhole slot -68, whichengages over rail head 64 to secure each card to the tray. Thus thecards II are retained by rail 62 which acts as a retaining member formounting the cards on mounting surface Ii of each tray; and theintegrally molded card mounting surface and retaining member is mountedon holding or retaining means on wheel member 5|.

A follower 69, also provided with a keyhole slot, may if desired beprovided for each tray 58, although a follower is unnecessary when thedevice is operated as arotary index. Thus, the projection Iii on theoutside of support wall '5, projects beyond the end of the rail head 64of the rail of the adjacent tray so as to prevent cards from slippingoff the end of the rail on which the cards are mounted.

The rotary index illustrated, may be rotated to any position forreference or access to any card with all the cards mounted in wheel formas illustrated in Fig. 2. At other times during use of the device, itmay be desired to refer to or post on a great many of the cards in asingle group; and for such use it is much more convenient to have thecards available for use on a desk. In such event, all that is necessaryfor the operator to do is to slide the particular tray 58, having thedesired group of cards carried thereon, sidewise from the wheelmember BIand place the tray on a desk, the flat bottom surface 59 of thetray 58serving as a suitable base for the tray when used as a desk tray.

Thus, it is unnecessary to operate any latches or to transfer anycarrying rails from the wheel to a separate desk tray for selective useof the device in wheel form, or with desk trays. In using a tray 58 as adesk tray, it may be desirable to place a follower 69 on the open end ofrail 62 when the tray I8 is removed from the wheel member 5|, if afollower 69 is not on the tray before removal from the wheel member 5|.

It is unnecessary to describe further the gen- 6 eral operation and useof a rotary index because the operation and use of the same is wellknown in the art. It is apparent, however, from the foregoing detaileddescription, that the improved construction permits end loading of thecards on the arcuate rails 84; provides for the use of the cards, eitheron the wheel or on a desk; and uses the same tray as a desk tray (Fig.4) that is used for mounting the cards on the wheel (Fig. 2).

The wheel ,of the rotary index shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is formedessentially of four parts, namely, three similar trays I8 and wheelmember ii. The simple spring pressed balls or friction catches 51 are ofcourse mounted in each wheel part 5!, and three similar followers .0 maybe used, one with each tray. Thus. the number of parts forthe-construction of the improved rotary index is substantially reducedas compared with prior art devices and of the four parts there areonlytwo parts of different design, and the design thereof is verysimple. Moreover, the requirement of additional or accessory parts ortrays for alternate wheel or desk use is eliminated.

As indicated above, I prefer to form the trays 5 8 and wheel member iiof a moldable thermoplastic material which is advantageous for a numberof reasons. First, such material is light in weight and thereforereduces fatigue of the operator in using the device. Second, the trays5s and wheel member Il may be readily manufactured each, in one piece,from such material.

Third, th'e wear on the keyhole slots in the cards because of continualsliding movement of the cards on the rails is materially reduced if thewheels are formed of thermoplastic materials so as to obtain theadvantages set forth in the Miller application, Serial No. 501,567,Patent No. 2,429,729, referred to above.

Likewise. the construction of the cabinet and wheel shaft mountingtherein is very simplified;

. the parts thereof being few in number and of very limitation as to thesize of card which may be carried on a single rail bwause the weight ofa card over a certain size has a, tendency during use to pull the cardoil the rail, when the card is at the bottom side of the wheel. Thisdiillcuity may be entirely overcome in an index adapted for selectivewheel or desk use by the present improved construction as shown in themodified form of tray illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein the tray 58a isprovided with two rails 62 which engage a similar number of keyholeslots 88 in each card Ila. Thus, the cards I la may be larger in either,width or height or both than the maximum sized manufacture than priorrotary card indexes;

cards than has been possible heretofore.

The embodiments of the present improvements illustrated and describedherein are by way of ex ample and the scope of the present invention isnot limited to the exact details of construction of the various'parts.when the term "polygonal shape" is used herein with reference to thewheel member, that term is used in a broad or general sense, asindicating a wheel member having a plurality of flat faces upon whichthe flat bottom walls of card mounting trays may be secured, even thougha dovetail rib projects from the flat wheel face.

Having now described the features of the invention, the construction,operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and theadvantageous, new and useful results attained by the improvedconstruction; the new and useful devices, constructions, arrangements,combinations, sub-combinations, parts and elements, and reasonablemechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, areset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In;rotary card index construction, a wheel member, means rotatablymounting the wheel member, a plurality of card tray members; each traymember being formed integrally with a base, a curved card mountingsurface and curved card retaining means; and dovetail meansinterengaging between the members extendin transversely of the wheelmember mounting the tray members on the wheel member.

2. In rotary card index construction, a polygonal wheel, a plurality ofcard trays, each tray being formed integrally with a flat base, anareaate card mounting surface and arcuate card retaining rail means; andmeans including a dovetail groove on each tray base and ribs on thewheel detachably mounting the tray bases on the polygonal wheel wherebycards carried by said trays may be referred-to in said trays selectivelyon said wheel or on a desk.

3. In rotary card index construction, a wheel and means rotatablymounting the wheel; the wheel comprising a member having a plurality offlat surfaces defining a generally polygonal periphery; a plurality ofsimilar card trays removably mounted one on each flatsurface of thewheel, each tray being formed integrally with a flat bottom, a curvedcard mounting surface, and curved card retaining means projecting fromand extending longitudinally of said curved surface; andinterengagingmeans on each tray and each flat wheel surface slidably mounting eachtray on its fiat wheel surface for removal from the wheel transverselyof thetray and wheel.

4. In rotary card index construction, a wheel member, means rotatablymounting the wheel member, a plurality of card trays; each tray beingformed integrally with a flat base, a curved top, and curved cardretaining means projecting from and extending longitudinally of the top;and interengaging means on each flat tray base and on the periphery ofthewheel member mounting the trays on the periphery of the wheel memberfor slidable removal from the wheel member transversely thereof.

5. In rotary card index construction, a wheel, membenmeans rotatablymounting the wheel member, a plurality of similar trays; each tray beingformed integrally with a base, an arcuate card mounting surface andarcuate card retaining rail means; and integral means on each tray baseinterengageable with integral means on the wheel member mounting thetrays on the wheel member for slidable removal transversely of the wheelmember; whereby the trays when mounted on the wheel member formsubstantially contin- I uous circular rail means on the periphery of thewheel member adapted to receive a multiplicity of cards arranged more orless radially of the wheel and having slots for mounting the cards onthe rail means, and whereby any tray with cards carried thereby may beremoved to a desk from the wheel member.

6. In rotary card index construction, a. wheel member, means rotatablymounting the wheel member, a plurality of card trays; each tray beingformed integrally with a base, a curved card mounting surface, andcurved card retaining means projecting from said card mounting surface;and means extending transversely of each tray base slidably engageablewith means extending transversely of the wheel member mounting the trayson the periphery of the wheel for slidable removal transversely thereof;whereby when the trays are mounted on the wheel the card retaining meansextend circumferentially of the wheel.

FRED P. NERO.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,871,840- Cobb Aug. 16, 19321,976,249 Stafford Oct. 9, 1934 2,046,655 Scholfleld July 7, 19362,168,323 Bruen Aug. 8, 1939 2,205,932 Scholfleld June 25, 19402,235,736 Bruen Mar. 18, 1941 2,240,325 Bruen Apr. 29, 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 374,994 Italy 1939 433,175 Great Britain1935

